McKenzie River Pottery

An ode to our #eckclay adventures!

Humble Beginnings

Every great journey has a starting point, and ours are firmly rooted in the enchanting landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. It was on our porch looking down on the magnificent McKenzie River that we first discovered the joy of pottery—an art form that transforms simple clay into unique creations.

Thus was born McKenzie River Pottery.

Centering

At the heart of the crafting process lies the art of centering—both literally and metaphorically. In pottery, centering clay is crucial to achieving balance and symmetry in the final product.

Similarly, we strive to balance our creative inspirations with the raw materials we work with. Each piece begins as a humble lump of clay, yet through mindful shaping and manipulation, it transforms into something that tells a story.

Glazing

The glazing process is another exciting chapter in our pottery journey. You’ll never find uniformity in an #eckclay collection; each layer of glaze results in distinct variations that bring character and individuality to every item. It’s a delightful surprise each time we open the kiln, as the organic nature of our glazing process means that no two pieces will ever look alike.

Handles & Such

Thoughtful details define pottery, and handles are a prime example. Handles are an extension of the piece, complementing the form and adding to the overall experience of using your favorite mug. More than just functional elements, our handles – and other clay elements! – are designed with comfort, aesthetics, and beauty in mind.

Mug Madness

Our mugs encapsulate the essence of our creative journey. They are a celebration of individuality, each one telling its own story through unique shapes, colors, and patterns.

#MarshallsMugMadness is a favorite among our customers for the sheer variety and character each mug brings to the table (or coffee shop!).

Sets

While our pieces often stand alone in their uniqueness, we will often witness the emergence of small ‘Collections.’ These sets may share a common theme—whether that’s color, shape, or seasonal influences—but each item remains distinct.

We embrace the delightful chaos of handmade artistry, where themes emerge organically rather than being forced. You’ll find that even within a collection, the individual flair and character shine brightly.

Dining

But our pottery journey doesn’t stop even after that final fire when clay hardens and glaze transforms; it extends into the home, where our pieces become part of daily life. We envision each finished clay piece not as decorative items sitting on a shelf somewhere but as integral elements of shared experiences and cherished moments at the dining table, around the fire, or on the porch.

We hope you’ll use and enjoy each piece, remembering that every imperfection, every unexpected detail, is part of the story. Join us as we continue this exciting adventure together, exploring the whimsy of handmade art!

Photo shoots

Capturing our pieces through photography is another exhilarating part of our journey. Each photoshoot immortalizes the beauty and individuality of our crafts, highlighting their unique textures and colors. We aim to showcase the stories they carry with them.

Photography allows us to share our passion and workmanship with you, inviting you to see the world through our artistic lens.

Pre Orders

Each year we seem to have a limited inventory of Pottery that goes on sale at somewhat random intervals. The holiday season often offers some selection, but a better way to get an #eckclay creation?

Pre-Orders!

Cups, Bowls, Plates and Noodle bowls are available for the holidays. Check out our Etsy Store for ordering information.

Off-Roading in the Nevada Desert

#eckjeeplife

In 2022, Marshall and I made an exciting leap and swapped our trusty Dodge Truck for a rugged Jeep Mojave. It may still function as a truck, but it undeniably brought out the adventurous kids in us who had always dreamed of cruising around in a Jeep. Bursting with excitement over our new toy, we couldn’t wait to hit the road. So, what did we do the very next day? You guessed it—off we went to the stunning Mojave Desert! Buckle up for a wild ride through one of America’s most iconic landscapes! 😉✨

Walker Lake

Our first official ‘off-road’ adventure in our new Jeep took a thrilling turn just before Walker Lake, leading us up to a breathtaking plateau that offered a stunning panoramic view of this natural gem.

The lake appeared as a mesmerizing blue halo amidst the surrounding brown desert—a sight to behold! However, we were taken aback by how much the water levels had receded compared to historical records. It was a little surreal to see picnic tables seemingly floating over nothing! Like many bodies of water, this precious lake has been shrinking, which has significant implications for local wildlife and tourism (check out the article).


Off-Roading

As we continued to wind our way south, we found many, MANY more pull-offs designed for folks just like us looking for off-road adventures! We were temped down virtually endless dirt roads so many times, we rolled into Vegas several hours later than anticipated. No regrets;)


Vegas Sights

Las Vegas isn’t too far away from Eugene, Oregon for it to be a semi-regular vacation destination for the Eck family . . . 2 days by car or 3 hours by plane. Sometimes we drive and sometimes we fly, but the food and views are always worth the while!

For a wider look at our #EckVegas adventures, check out this earlier photo and travel blog post.


Joshua Tree National Forest

With a kid named Joshua, we had to check these particular trees out and then fell even more in love with them when we start to explore their history and possible future!

This unique specimen ONLY grows in this part of the world and has withstood the extreme elements of the Mojave Desert for ages. As their environments change, the fight to save these trees has only begun (article).


Lake Mead

And last but not least, just below Las Vegas, we took a drive through Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This protected area was a delight to drive through full of both ancient and more recent human history . . . Even managed to capture a rainbow!🌈



Outdoor Cooking

For us, outdoor cooking and off-grid driving just seem to go hand in hand. Here we capture the chef in his natural habitat cooking for families and friends😉


Never-Ending Horizons

And who can forget the skyline in the desert . . . And the sunsets! Never-ending horizons give you the feelings you can drive forever☺️


McKenzie River Backroads ~ Mile Marker #8

Whether you yearn for solitude amidst the tranquil forest or seek to explore the vibrant urban areas nearby, Willamette National Forest offers something for every traveler.

With an extensive network of over 6,000 miles of roads, this natural wonderland provides abundant opportunities to immerse oneself in its unparalleled beauty of the McKenzie River Valley (blog post).

Mile Marker #8 and Beyond

If you’re up for a trek, try taking one of the old logging roads up behind Blue River Reservoir. Somewhere past Mile Marker #8, the views will just keep you climbing!

As some of the side roads become impassable in a vehicle, the trek can be continued on foot. Just down hill from our usual stop, a surprising creek proved lush and beautiful and an opportunities for a little amateurs gold hunting.

If you persevere and stay on the trail, you might have the chance to find a few gems hidden by time. Case in point, this abandoned mine!

And let’s not forget the flowers you’ll spy on drives during the spring and summer !Bear grass, Rhodies, Larkspur and more can be found at nearly every stop and viewpoint.

Oregon Coast | Neskowin Beach

Explore the Enigmatic Nestucca Valley and Its Secret Little Village

Along what’s nicknamed the “corridor of mystery” (really the Nestucca Valley)—that dark tract of steep, winding road and dense trees between Lincoln City and Pacific City in Oregon—sits a mystifying yet resplendent secret little village – Neskowin. This idyllic town along the Oregon Coast offers a captivating destination for couples and travelers seeking natural beauty and coastal charm.

Sunrise

Upon reaching this small Oregon coast town, we managed to catch the sunrise along with a number of picturesque reflections of dawn along the shore.

Proposal Rock

An Oregon Coast treasure, Proposal Rock beach is a bucket list item for many an explorer.

As you stroll down the sandy path following Hawk Creek, you’ll reach the mesmerizing sight of Proposal Rock. This tree-covered basalt sea stack rises majestically a hundred feet above the waves just offshore. Neskowin has both romantic and tragic stories associate with marriage proposals here over the last few centuries.

We took advantage of the low tide and made the scramble up Proposal Rock. This climb is not for the faint of heart, but then neither is the view! Here visitors can experience the awe-inspiring view from the top of Proposal Rock itself during low tide on a calm day, just as Charles Gage and Della did back in the 1800’s with an epic of marriage proposal. Not a bad spot to make out . . . if I do say so myself;)

It was from these heights that we looked down on the remnants of an ancient forest of trees thought to have been over 150 feet tall before they were destroyed by a natural disaster 1000’s of years ago.

Ghost Forest

If you look south along the coastline during low tide, a remarkable sight known as the “Ghost Forest” will be revealed. Ancient, dark stumps of Sitka spruce trees emerge from the sea, transporting you back in time to a primordial era. It is believed these stumps were once part of a higher plateau until the catastrophic Cascadia Zone earthquake over 2,000 years ago. Now, they stand as haunting remnants of a bygone era, submerged and revealed with each ebb and flow of the tide.

Plenty of Fish and Natural Splendor

Mostly, Neskowin is one giant beach, with sands running northward uninterrupted from the bottom of Cascade Head, through Winema Beach, to the edge of the Nestucca Bay — about five or six miles. The word “Neskowin” is tribal language for “plenty fish” because of the area’s abundance of marine life. This coastal haven promises a wealth of natural wonders, artistic inspiration, and a peaceful escape for couples and travelers seeking an unforgettable experience along the Oregon Coast.

So . . .

Discover the charm of Neskowin Beach on the Oregon Coast, where captivating landscapes, historic remnants, and hidden mysteries await. Plan your romantic getaway or tranquil retreat today and immerse yourself in the allure of this coastal gem.

Eck Yeti Life | Just Sitting Around

We found Yeti’s outdoor gear to be a valuable companion on many an outdoor adventure. Yeti’s insulated products are well-known for their durability and performance, making them a reliable choice for all of our outdoor excursions, from the Mojave desert to the beaches of Oregon.

Best know for keeping food and beverages chilled, let’s not forget the versatility of the Yeti chairs and blankets!

JUST SITTING AROUND

We actually got both the Camp chair and shorter Base Camp chair. While both sets were amazingly comfortable, the Camp chair was our first choice for traveling with the easy carrying bags.

And be careful around the campfires! They’re not fire proof and sparks will make a small hole in the comfy FlexGrid Fabric seats;)

The pandemic inspired many a person to get outdoors more and we were no exception . . . and more adventures also meant more gear, right? For us, Yeti proved to be the answer to our outdoor needs and thus began our #eckyetilife journey!

All in all, it was an amazing year of Eck Family Adventures and some very cool Yeti gear:)

Community Supported Shelters (CSS)

The origin of this local nonprofit is a steeped in the grassroots of the Occupy Movement in Eugene, Oregon. Now over a decade later, Community Supported Shelters has grown to operate 14 separate sites; the mission of this non-profit simple – to build intentional communities for the unhoused. Their iconic Conestoga Huts are named after heavy covered wagons that were used in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Conestoga Huts are more affordable and easier to assemble and maintain than other individual shelters and tiny homes as evidenced by the CSS hut manuals shipped around the world to those aspiring to build their own alternative shelter. These resilient structures emphasize keeping unhoused people reasonably sheltered from the weather with the basic security of privacy and locking door.

Safe Spot Communities

CSS Communities are classified as ‘Safe Spots’ and find their literal identities in a highly specific City of Eugene code. Here Conestoga Huts are defined as ‘vehicles,’ this cementing CSS’s humble beginnings as a car camping program . . . a less than glorious start for a pioneer of alternative shelter but one we’ve used to our advantage over the years. Eugene is infamous for creative solutions to the homelessness crisis in the State of Oregon. CSS was the first of many such alternative solutions aimed at solving the struggle for shelter in a community with very limited resources for the growing unhoused.

CSS Communities vary in size from just a few huts placed on public or private land to the CSS-operated sites of up to 20 huts or more, primarily built on park land otherwise unneeded by the city. Micro-communities (less than 6 huts) on church properties were some of the first sites to successfully host CSS. The Eugene Mission followed suite and to this day hosts two separate CSS Safe Spot Communities on their 7.5 acre campus on 1st street – one for Veterans and one sober-site.

Shared Spaces

CSS Safe Spots include a shared kitchen and living space with wood heat and propane cooking surfaces. With these and other creative design elements, CSS hones its specialty in leveraging otherwise unused or undeveloped land with their off grid solar and water conservation strategies.

Did you know CSS trucks in clean drinking water and pumps out grey water to the majority of their 14 shelter locations in the City of Eugene?!? Conservation efforts include the development of several grey water filtration systems in partnership with the University of Oregon. All-natural filtration systems such as these would eliminate the need to haul dirty water out every week AND provide a reservior of filtered water for the communities’ gardens. Everyone wins!

CSS off-grid villages leverage solar solutions (battery bank pictured below) for community room lights and a place for clients to charge their devices!

Even as CSS continues to learn more about solar charging stations with the help of knowledgeable volunteers, the hope is to upgrade the infrastructure at a few strategic sites. Upgraded sites will include hook-ups to traditional sewer, water, and electricity! Special thanks to the City of Eugene for providing funding to make these essential, quality-of-life enhancements.

Interiors

As reassuring as it to simply have a space to secure one’s personal belongings, with only 60 square feet of interior space, storage is always a challenge with a Conestoga hut😉

Jack (below), like many residents, got very creative with storage in his small space. Here he is inspiring the professional designers visiting from the University of Oregon School of Interior Design. A ‘Make a Hut a Home’ school project, anyone?!?

Heal

The intent of a CSS Safe Spot is to interrupt the fight-or-flight responses developed to survive life on the streets. These huts can cost less than $10000 a year for essentials and services, and extraordinary savings considering the national average for the cost of a single unhoused person on a community is nearly $35,000 a year! These cost-effective, intentional communities provide for essential needs: shelter, sleep, food, water, restrooms, and human connection. With basic needs met, clients can begin rebuilding their lives.

Beyond the effectiveness and resiliency of the Conestoga Huts themselves to provide shelter night after night, the program-focus on community and engagement has given CSS one of the highest success rate of moving individuals from homelessness to positive housing.

ADA Huts

Spring of 2023, Community Supported Shelters’ shop in Eugene was bustling with their latest project. The CSS Maintenance Team and dedicated Hut Volunteers had been working tirelessly on a new ADA hut for one of their most vulnerable clients!

Above, you can see J* trying out the ramp on our newest project … an ADA hut at our Skinner site! About a foot wider and taller, this hut also differs from our traditional template in that it has a full size door for better accessibility.

This hut is different from the standard model, with a full-size door and a ramp, making it perfect for our client’s power wheelchair. The installation of solar panels to power a generator and an especially spacious Bucks added to the comfort and convenience of this new shelter.

Partners, Pets & Possessions (The 3 P’s)

In the world of shelters, the three P’s have always been a struggle…especially in more traditional, communal shelters for the unhoused. The Conestoga Huts and CSS Safe Spot Communities allow clients to have their own space to balance their idividual lives and needs a bit more. Dogs, for instance, are something that can be accommodated in most cases and some CSS Communities even enjoy a shared leash-free agreement within their site.

The Future of Alternative Shelter

CSS leadership sees immediate opportunities for growth tied to their expanded consulting arm. This Team seeks to help other non-profits and communities quickly add shelter beds and jumpstart recovery for the unhoused.

There simply isn’t enough shelter for everyone to even begin their journey.l of wellness!

Here in Lane County, if we filled every single shelter bed right now, 95% of of our documented unhoused would still be without a safe and sanctioned place to sleep! It will take the entire community working together to address the immediate needs of the 95% (bathrooms, trash receptacles, safe storage, etc…) as well as quickly increase the number of shelter beds available in our community.

For CSS, the near future will include a re-invigoration of local faith communities to host Micro-Communities and increasing opportunities for clients to engage with one another and the larger community.

Pendleton ~ Oregon Wool

Oregon’s own – Pendleton – has been crafting wool products for over 100 years! Avid thrifters, we’ve scored some awesome coats and hats over the years, worn them for a season and passed them on to friends and family or the nearest weary traveler.

Because of the wool, Pendleton coats kept the rain out and the warmth in as we traversed the #pnw throughout the year. The perfect outer layer for snow and rain our Pendleton coats almost never leave the Jeep;)

During the drizzling seasons, we put our hats to good use as well.

Let’s not forget those big Pendleton towels on our Mckenzie River adventures!

Or those cozy blankets!

From beach to forest these woolen delights have kept us warm and dry winter, spring, summer and fall💙

Mountain Top Camping

One of the great joys of owning a truck is the built-in bed you get to take with you where ever the road may wander;) But by diving a Jeep that’s ALSO a truck, outdoor camping takes on entirely new heights with off-roading now on the table. Last summer, we had the most magical mountain top camping trip in eastern Oregon in the Mojave.

Jeep Off Grid

It was such a mild evening, we decided to forgo the tent and air mattresses and, instead, spread the netting over the back of the Jeep and rollout the couple’s sleeping bag in the truck bed.


Over the Fire Cooking

One of our favorite parts of the camping experience is the outdoor cooking! We stopped at a small grocery store before heading up the mountain where we splurged on a T-bone for a delightful, over the fire dinner of creamy gnocchi, large prawns and steak. Special thanks to the bearded talents of Mr. McKenzie Castiron Cooking!


Eck Family Tradition

This gorgeous mountain top is actually part of a winter hunting camp tradition with generations of Ecks roaming these heights, hunting elk and stocking the family freezer each year. And on this magical night, we spent the evening telling stories of days gone by around the fire as the sunset.

Mountain Top Sunset

And speaking of sunsets, while there were magical landscapes in all directions with a panoramic view from the mountain top, like most summer sunsets, this one lasted forever!

We even managed to capture the moment from the back of the Jeep through the curtains for a beautiful time lapse video:)


Looking forward to visiting again this summer!

#tecklandscapes #meandmytabby #oregonexplored #pnw #eckfamilyadventures

Oregon Covered Bridges | Goodpasture

A well-known tourist trek through rural Oregon communities will often include a scenic view of one of our many covered bridges.

One of the most photographed covered bridges in the state, the Goodpasture Bridge near Vida, Oregon spans the McKenzie River.

For those of us living along the McKenzie River, we are treated to the ever-changing faces and seasons of Oregon’s second largest covered bridge.

Spring Growth

At their height the early 1900’s, Oregon had about 600 covered bridges in operation. To this day we still have over 50 – one of the largest collection in the nation – with as many as 20 in Lane County alone.

Sunsets & Moonlight

Though the historical structure of this covered bridge makes for amazing photographs, Oregon’s own McKenzie River with its reflections and the beautiful sunsets throughout the year are quite striking as well.

Adventures

Fishing, boating and swimming adventures are easy to find near Oregon covered bridges! Just down the way from the Goodpasture Bridge is a boat ramp and Leaburg Reservoir not to mention the fact that the bridge spans the iconic McKenzie River itself!

Winter Wonderland

Spring, summer and fall are all wonderful, but some of the best pictures of Oregon’s Covered Bridges happen in the winter with a dusting of snow to set the mood.

**Side note: In pulling together this gallery of Goodpasture Bridge views, I found the snowy pictures above that pre-date the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. I was struck by the reality that many of us in the McKenzie River Valley share the experience of stumbling across images we’ve captured of ‘before.’ It was an unexpectedly intense trip down memory lane resulting in the gallery you’re viewing now containing a striking array of photos before-and-after the flames and heat dramatically changed the landscape❤️❤️

Christmas Lights

The Goodpasture Bridge is one of a few Oregon Covered Bridges that changes into holiday colors come December. Be careful not to block traffic, but the red and green lights are amazing from every angle.

Lane County is a great place to start, but don’t stop at just one covered bridge on your trek through Oregon.

#pnw #oregoncoveredbridge #tecklandscapes #oregonlife #eckfamilyadventures

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Oregon Coast ~ Heceta Head Lighthouse

The Heceta Head is one of the most iconic lighthouse views along the Oregon Coast. If you’re traveling from Eugene to Florence, THIS is the view that assures a visitor that ‘you’ve arrived’ and will soon be feeling the sand between your toes. The entrance to Devil’s Elbow (i.e. Heceta Head beach) is the second tunnel on the journey along HWY 126. Once you get through the tunnel (and after honking your horn a few times!) you’ll see an immediate entrance to this Oregon Coast location on your left.

This was the beach that I walked on in my youth. I spent years trekking all over beach, the trails, the lighthouse, and the near-by Hobbit Beach finding agates and checking out the tide pools at low tide.

Despite my long-standing realtionship with this particular wedge of the Oregon Coast, I’d never actually captured a sunrise view of this Oregon Beach. But this year, from an empty pullout just up the highway, we caught an amazing rainbow of a morning of Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Check out the Heceta Head Lighthouse at dawn in this capture . . .

In my youth, I remember my long-pasted grandfather painting this lighthouse decades ago from a perch somewhere near Heceta Head Bed & Breakfast (pictured and glowing below and to the right).

Not to be surpassed, the views just kept coming on this particular morning. To our left, we caught sight of the moon rising along the horizon . . .

On mornings like this, it amazes me that even after a lifetime of looking at Heceta Head Lighthouse and playing on her beaches, I had yet to see her in all her glory. But on this morning . . . I saw it all:)

If you’re spending the night in Florence, Oregon, be sure to make it to the beach before the sun rises for these views.

#eckbeachlife #oregoncoast #florenceoregon #pnwcoast #tecklandscapes #meandmytabby #eckfamilyadventures